by Iyanna Orr
A minute passed, and then Max slammed the book down on the table, a frustrated expression on her face.
“What am I looking at?” she asked. “I know next to every language that exists from Earth to the Ninety-fourth dimension, and I have never seen this before!” Chandler’s eyebrows furrowed, and he looked at her as he pulled the book back to him. Looking down at it, he saw that the words were definitely still in English.
“It’s in English,” he said slowly. “What are you talking about?”
“If that’s English, then I’m a vegetable,” Michael snorted. “We’re clearly not seeing the same thing. Just tell us what we’re supposed to be looking at.”
“I stayed up all night reading this, and I can’t see what Gideon would want with it. All that’s in here are entries about this guy’s daughter and different creatures he came across on Legacy.” Chandler flipped through the pages and read the names of the creatures Haakon had documented. “Demons, angels, dragons, elves, golems, shades—”
“Hold on a second,” Michael interrupted. “When was this book written?”
“Only the entries about the creatures have dates. Some of them span weeks at a time. Why?”
“What’s the date on the elves?”
“1832 B.C.”
“What’s wrong?” Rory asked. But nothing seemed to be wrong. Michael laughed and leaned back in his chair, shaking his head.
“Before our species took over the predicting of prophecies, it was they who did it. We just took over after the elves decided they were finished trying to help the rest of the universe. Before everything was destroyed, the council taught us about how the elves predicted the birth of Drake. They wanted to join forces with the witches and Legacy to hunt down the baby, but everyone refused. They were too disgusted by the elves’ intent to kill a baby that they ignored the warning. Days later, the same day Drake was born, the elves retreated back to their own dimension and swore to the entire universe that they would not assist those who did not heed their warning.”
“So?” Rory asked.
“So…” Max jumped in. “There is no way that elves should be in that book.”
“But they exist,” Chandler pointed out. “Why shouldn’t they be here?”
“Yes, they do exist, but every creature logged in that book, Haakon met face to face in Legacy. The elves had locked themselves away twenty years before then.” Max leaned closer to the table and looked directly in Chandler’s eye. “The elves knew that book would fall into your hands. They knew you would read it. They are sending us a message.”
“What kind of message?” Damian asked.
“Eventually, they will help. When we need it, they will help.”
“It’s only a theory,” Michael cut in, waving his hand. He gestured to the book. “We can’t really be sure. We might as well just stay in the present. How about you read us some of the stuff in there?”
Chandler wanted to start at the beginning, so he skipped the letter and went directly to the first entry. It was obviously added to the book later because the paper was different and less aged than the others.
There will be a time in the future when our way of life will mean something to someone. There is no guarantee this book will help them achieve exactly what they want, but I know it may save someone’s life. My name is Haakon, and I have created this book and named it, “the Bestiary.”
I decided, after a revelation, that I was needed. Eventually, my daughter did, too. It took me years to realize what I began to do could help my descendants, including the one that this book will be most important to. He won’t realize exactly what it means until he is faced with the truth and, perhaps, even me. My advice to anyone reading this book: keep away from the contents. As I discovered these things, I knew that a breakthrough in the evolution of many species had been made. I also realized that knowing what is written on these pages is dangerous.
That is why this book can only be read by those who share my blood. Those who forcibly attempt to read the words will die. I apologize for taking such grave measures, but what this book stands for is far beyond the life of any power seeker.
But, only by the decision of my descendant, can the contents be shared with the rest of the universe. There is a spell that will reveal itself once all the words have been read. That spell will show everyone the secrets I held during my journey.
When you decide this information is worth spreading, I will be there to see the results.
Haakon
Chandler looked up from the book and met Damian’s eyes. There was excitement there, but also cautiousness. His hands were clasped together on the table, squeezing hard enough to turn the exposed skin white, edged with the deep red of gathering blood. Chandler’s eyes shifted to Max. Her eyes were narrowed, silver and gold peeking through the slits to watch the flickering lights on the table.
“Hold on a second,” Rory finally said. “We all looked at the book, and we aren’t dead.”
“Looked. That’s the key word. We looked, but we didn’t read it,” Michael said. “However, this Haakon managed to create a language that only a Dixon could read. He didn’t do it with magic. He genetically rewired himself and any descendant that could be born.”
“Why isn’t there any magic here?” Max suddenly asked. Her eyes moved away from the table to look at Damian. “Ever since we got here, I have been feeling very… repressed; as if a part of me has been snatched away.”
“Magic is neutralized here. It doesn’t matter how old it is or who created it. After the attack, we all knew there was no chance of restoring Monsil topsoil. There was a type of training grounds down before we took what power we had and expanded it to build this city. There was plenty of magic to go around, but that was before Gideon’s wounds healed and he took control. He banned the use of magic because he feared it would eventually run out. The planet was dead, and there would be no more power when our children came of age. Those who still had power have been petitioned, and it was again decided that it would be up to them to pass their power on to their children. In answer, he created the power building,” Damian said, standing. He walked over to a curtain and pulled it aside, gesturing for them to look out. Chandler followed them, looking out the window and seeing a building that completely stood out from the rest. As he gazed at it, he wondered how he hadn’t seen it the moment they came into town. It was white, shining under the thousands of candlelit chandeliers overhanging the city. From the Petersen’s home, it didn’t look that big, but even this far away, he could feel that it gave off the pretense of being small. It was a lot bigger than it looked. “That is the only building in the city that allows every kind of magic to thrive. There, we have a specific spell to transfer the power temporarily to teach the children how to control it. But it can only be used by Gideon’s permission. The only way to continue to use that room once you’ve been given permission is to stay inside.
“If and when Gideon allows you in, it’s up to you when to leave. Most of our minors stay there and practice with the magic that anyone will provide. He is jealous that the people have become so independent. He’s even tried once to tear it down, but the power inside it kept it standing and repaired whatever damage was done.”
“Then the book will be safer there,” Chandler said. “We need to get in.”
“That’s not happening,” Michael said. They all looked at him, and he shrugged. “It’s the truth. Gideon doesn’t like Chandler because he doesn’t like what he’s supposed to stand for. So, he’s definitely not going to give Chandler a chance to become powerful enough to convince the people to follow him.”
“Is there any way to make Gideon open the doors to us?” Rory asked.
“Not likely,” Damian said, grimacing. “The only reason the doors are open to everyone is to escape the monthly quake.”
“What’s that?” Max asked.
“Every month, the day that the children coming of age would have received their power, there’s an earthquake that destroys our c
ity. If we didn’t have that building to protect us, we all would have died long ago.”
“The next quake is in a week,” Max breathed and then she smiled, her eyes swinging around to take them all in. “Gideon will have no choice but to let us in, and then we can stay. Damian, do you understand that whatever Chandler is supposed to do could explain why Michael and I were born?”
“I do understand that, Max,” Damian replied sadly. “But do you understand that his life has been taken hundreds of times over? This prophecy is not new and has, by no means, changed, whatsoever.”
“We do not know that for sure,” Max laughed. Her cheerfulness was causing her eyes to glow brighter, and if Chandler looked carefully, he could see a faint glimmer to her skin. “We have not had the chance to look at the other prophecies. Ours was so simple. There had to have been something about the others that ended with him being killed.”
“There doesn’t have to be anything, Max,” Michael replied. “Damian is right. If the prophecy changed in any way, it’s only the wording. Nothing is going to happen differently. As far as we know, this could be a never-ending cycle. Maybe it’s supposed to happen the way it is. Who knows how many other people spent their lives trying to help him and failed.”
“You’re saying that maybe Chandler’s dying is reasonable,” Rory said to Michael. Chandler turned to Rory and wasn’t much surprised by the anger that had taken home on his face. “I don’t know who you think you are, but this isn’t how I want this to go. I don’t know much about this supernatural shit, but I know that I’m not going to let you dictate whether or not he’s going to die by the end of this.”
There was silence. Chandler thought he saw silent agreement on Max’s face, but he couldn’t be sure. Damian was watching Rory, a strange look on his face, but then he shook his head harshly and turned away. His eyes back on Chandler, Damian cleared his throat. It did nothing to break the tension in the room, but it drew everyone’s attention.
“Keep reading, Chandler,” he said.
The first found me instead of the other way around. After Drake’s attack on Garrow’s house, I left the town, knowing that if he found out I was involved, he would come find me. I retreated into the trees on the other side of the world.
Copelyn was still a baby, and I was spending all my time caring for her. Everyone who could have watched over her for me wouldn’t do it. They’d heard about what I’d done… what he’d done. I don’t blame them. They were just afraid. I was slowly learning how to care for her while she grew, but I still struggled.
One day, Copelyn was crying and had been ever since the night before. She wouldn’t eat, her diaper was clean, and she ignored all the toys I tried to use to cheer her up. I found the sound endearing, somewhat, but I was close to giving up when I heard a sound outside the window.
The sword I’d taken to carrying around was on top of the bookcase. I moved a chair over and stood on it to bring it down even as a knock came from the window. Coming down from the chair, I moved over to it cautiously, using my body to block any view the stranger might have of Copelyn. Of course, they already knew she was there… with all the crying. The stranger was waiting patiently, and that’s what finally spurred me on to open the window.
When I opened it, I had to look up to remove my eyes from the strong horse legs in front of me. When it began to lower itself down to my level, I was struck with surprise again. Instead of the Centaur, I’d expected, it was one of the rare Centaurides. Her hair was long and thick, coming over her shoulders to cover her modesty. I knew immediately that this would be for my own sake; there was no doubt the Centaurides would be used to their nudity in the forest.
She spoke first.
“Sir,” she said to me. “Is the child all right?”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
“Might I assist?” I didn’t know much about the Centaurs, but I could feel that this one was older than her appearance let on. I also knew that I’d never heard any stories of any cruelty. I took a chance and forced myself to hand over my daughter to the woman.
As soon as her hands touched Copelyn, she quieted and gazed up at her with big eyes. The woman smiled at Copelyn, and to my surprise, she smiled back.
Meeting the centaurs came much easily after that. Many came to visit her as she grew. We stayed among the Centaurs for three years until my travels required us to go. It was hard, saying goodbye, especially since they’d helped me through the early rough years of her life. Even though we were going, the Centauride, Janet, took me aside and promised that the Dickson would always have a home among them.
Haakon
“Always have a home,” Damian murmured when Chandler had finished.
“Do you think they would remember that promise after so long?” Max asked. “Especially since Drake chased them all off of Legacy.”
“It’s hard to say,” Damian answered. “The centaurs really were a peaceful people. I’ve never met any personally, but the tales of them are spread all over. No one has heard anything from then since they passed into the witch dimension a century and a half ago.”
“The dimensions beyond the witches are forbidden,” Michael said. “If they managed to pass the barrier to get to them, then I don’t think the witches would willingly give up what they know.”
“Speaking of the witches… the letter implied that Chandler visited him and borrowed his body,” Max remembered.
“That’s against the law.”
“So is the existence of a Nephalem,” Damian said grimly. “If Chandler really does share a body with Haakon at some point, there are no spells that could give any man another’s body. Meaning that somebody went above and beyond to make it happen.”
“It’s against the law because of corruption,” Michael added to his earlier comment. “Once a man holds control over another, it messes with the mind. Nobody is above those consequences.”
Nobody had anything to say to that.
It was the first day they were somewhat free, but they were always reminded that they were the outsiders. The people’s curiosity was chased away as if it had been nothing but a dream. Max, Michael, Rory and Chandler stuck together as they walked the town with the Petersens. Conversations stopped when they walked into shops, and Damian was promptly dismissed from his friends’ homes once they realized Chandler were still around. Rory and Chandler didn’t know these people, and it hit the twins harder than them.
They made their way to a butcher shop a few miles from Damian’s. The walk was silent, and the tension had been building since they went out the front door. All around Damian’s house, Monsilians were standing outside, watching them as they walked. Instinct, from years of secrecy, made Chandler want to hide the wings he now flaunted so readily. It was Claudia who’d insisted he not hide them anymore. She told him she understood the pain in hiding but said no more.
Stepping inside the shop, they were obviously interrupting a conversation. A man with a blood-smeared apron over him looked at them out of the corner of his eye. The conversation abruptly stopped, and the man with his back to them turned. Their eyes immediately narrowed, and an alarm went off in Chandler’s head. Beside him, Michael shifted, making it easier to get to the daggers he’d strapped to his ankles before they’d left; having the swords in plain sight wouldn’t have sent a good message.
Chandler stepped further into the shop, effectively blocking the view of Rory and most of the others. His body was in control of itself as his wings extended. He felt every inch of them, down to the feathers, as they poised themselves in a way that was obviously supposed to make the two men back off.
“Chandler,” Claudia said. His head turned to take in the voice, but he didn’t take his eyes off the men, who were also watching Chandler. “You need to calm down. This is not the place nor the time.”
“What is she talking about?” Rory asked.
“Right now, he’s not himself. That is why he needs to calm down.” The
re was a sharp tug on the feathers closest to Chandler’s back. Being the more fragile piece of the wing, his knees immediately gave out, and he dropped to the floor, resisting the cry that almost came up his throat. He gritted his teeth as his mind came rushing back to him. Shaking his head harshly, Chandler turned to look over his wing at Claudia, standing calmly behind. Her hand was just moving away from the position it had been in for her to grasp his feathers and pull. There was no feather in her hands, meaning it was still attached.
A hand came into view, and Chandler gripped it, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet. The men were looking at his wings sharply, and Chandler tucked them into his back, shooting the men a glare. It didn’t have the effect he would hope since he was still holding back tears as the pain faded. Rory pulled him to the doorway, Claudia following closely. Chandler noticed Max already taking the place he’d just abandoned, looking at them with a composed look on her face that defied the storm in her eyes. Chandler turned away from them and leaned against the front of the shop, breathing sharply.
Claudia’s bare feet came into view, and he looked up at her.
“What the hell was that for?” he asked.
“That was to stop you making all of this worse.” She took a deep breath and gestured for Rory to move closer. “Gideon runs this city even if the people claim to be independent. Whatever he says, they blindly follow. That is how it has been since we lost everything. Our race has lost its purpose, and now we’re just looking for someone to take control.”
“Then I suggest you look a little farther than Gideon.”
“I’m not going to disagree with you,” Claudia said, giving a dry laugh. “I knew the twin’s parents long before they involved themselves in the politics of the council. It was they who helped me see them for what they really were. Many didn’t have the luxury of seeing what was happening.”